Cassie (Book #1 of the "Cassie" Series)

Chapter #25: Thank You

November 20, Sunday, 5:05 pm

One thing I've realized about my relationship with Ryan is that I don't need anything extravagant, I don't need flowers every day or undivided attention, fancy gifts or expensive dinners. I just want to be with him and that's enough for me. My idea of spending a perfect day with him was very simple, and that Sunday was pretty much spent watching Ryan and his father finishing up this cute little gazebo area in the backyard that they'd been working on for a few months. I watched them from inside the kitchen, pushing these little benches inside the gazebo, painting the finishing touches, all while I went out bringing them drinks, sneaking kisses when his Dad was too busy trying to heave an entire wooden bench inside by himself, and spending time inside the warmth of his house trying to keep his little sisters entertained. Nicole's a sweetheart, I can see why Ryan speaks so highly of her. I think Cleo might even be warming up to me finally, but I wouldn't know, because she has this constant look of pure disdain on her face even when she's happy. But, she hasn't said anything sarcastic or downright rude to me yet, so there's a bonus. 

"Cassie, dearie, are you sure you're warm enough?" I heard the soft voice of Ryan's mom behind me. 

"Yeah, I'm good Mrs. Park." I said with a smile. I was relaxing on the couch, watching an episode of Teen Titans Go! with Nicole while Cleo sat across the room in the armchair, staring at the vase on the coffee table.

"Nonsense, it's freezing, you'll catch your death!" Mrs. Park laughed. Before I could reply, she grabbed a blanket from over the back of the couch and draped it over me. I wasn't gonna lie, it was 100x warmer now.

"Thanks, Mrs. Park." I smiled at her again. God, she's so nice, I can definitely see where Ryan gets his good nature from. It's like everything she says is just dripping in honey and sugar and all that good stuff. His dad is lovely too, always cracking jokes and trying to make me feel as welcome as possible. Since Halloween, I've spent a lot more time at Ryan's house than usual. He still had yet to stay over at mine, though I wouldn't think Mom would be at all open to that, and if she agreed she'd make him stay in the guest bedroom down the hall probably.

"Call me Camilla, none of this Mrs. Park stuff, makes me feel old." she joked and smiled at me. She trailed her hand along the back of the burgundy couch, and then placed herself on the cushion next to me.

"I just wanna say thank you, Cassie." she said, completely out of the blue. I flashed her a bewildered smile, unsure of what she had to thank me for.

"For what?" I asked, pulling the blanket up to my shoulders. 

"For making my boy happy. He's my oldest child and my only son, and it seems like his life had always just been grades, football, and that horrendous Brianna girl that he used to hang around with. You came along and changed that, though. I've not seen him this happy in forever." she said with a sincere look of gratitude. I didn't even know how to respond, I was just smiling ear to ear. 

"Thank you, Camila. You really raised a good guy." I nodded, feeling my cheeks going all rosy. 

"Eh, I tried my best. Don't know what went wrong with her though." Camila said in a jokey tone, turning around and pointing at Cleo, who simply looked up from her daze and scowled at us.

"That wasn't funny." she said under her breath.

"Nope, it was hilarious. Go make yourself useful and bring that tray out to your father and your brother, will you?" Camila pointed to a tray on the counter with two mugs, Cleo huffed and rolled her eyes.

"Yes, your HIGHNESS." Cleo spat, dragging herself out of the chair and grabbing the tray off the counter with such anger that I'm surprised the drinks didn't go flying over the room. Camila giggled and turned back to me.